IT giants are fighting to develop the technology in teaching. Microsoft Anthony Salcito hits governments around the world to sell the systems to schools.
One of the leading researchers in the field warns of IT systems that do not take into account the different teachers way to work.
– It has long been a strong focus on introducing new technologies in school, but computers have been used to automate yesterday’s learning. The technology itself does not change much, says Anthony Salcito at Microsoft.
Instead, new technology can act as a catalyst for innovative pedagogy that helps children develop the skills that are often called 21st century skills, he explains . These are, for example, to be able to process information, communicate and develop leadership skills.
Anthony Salcitos vision for the school is that tablets, interactive whiteboards, mobile phones and other electronics used to let students pursue projects with people all over the earth, that learning occurs through games like Minecraft, that learning is personalized and that teaching flipped.
the latter means that students’ homework is to watch a movie or play a game that gives a survey of an area of knowledge. Lesson time is then used depressions, conversations, experiments and practical work linked to knowledge. It is a more efficient way to use the teacher’s time, and it increases the motivation to learn, think Anthony Salcito.
– I have nothing against the use of traditional teaching of learning requires it but the structure of the school should be as flexible as possible.
Anthony Salcito speaks with warmth and glow of all the innovative teacher he meets. Microsoft holds courses for teachers and school leaders and recognizes creative teachers through awards. In Sweden share Microsoft annual prizes along with the Teachers’ Union.
When he answers questions about the company’s marketing strategy sounds he suddenly much more mechanical. At the same time, of course, is all his work to sell Microsoft products.
At the education conference in London where the interview takes place, Anthony Salcito meet ministers, senior officials and other companies in the education industry from around the world. Microsoft drives the development together with several governments, educational institutions and other companies, such as Intel.
But there are also critics of Microsoft and other large companies’ strong presence in the school. One of them is Rose Luckin, Professor at the UCL Knowledge Lab in London, who researches how new technology can be used to support and improve teaching.
– There is a risk that people with the best intentions can get the idea that the way forward is to develop large systems that affect all in school. It can feel threatening to teachers, parents and students, they are afraid of losing influence in the classroom, she says.
Her belief is that the development of technology for learning instead to be guided by students and educators. Rose Luckin implement all of their studies in real classrooms in close dialogue with teachers and students. Much is about creating technology that takes into account and improves students’ own desire to learn.
– One of my graduate students, for example, developed a ball that changes color when you squeeze it. Each child must decide which color they want for the feel and the teacher has technology that can translate this and see that ‘oh well, now six students bored and is exalted’ and adapt its manual.
Rose Luckin also tells Labba total trials with cameras which analyzes body movements and facial expressions that have the motivation to do and who can help teachers support their students individually and in the best way.
She works herself to develop advanced software based on artificial intelligence, ai, for the desktop. The programs can read how students feel and how interested they are in what they are taking part or working on the computer. They can also optimize the level, form and content for each student and collect data from both individuals and groups, and then analyze the information for the teacher.
– These programs mean that huge amounts of data about each student will accumulate, even sensitive information. How this is to be handled is one of the most pressing issues, says Rose Luckin.
– We must solve the anonymization in a way that makes it possible to provide meaningful feedback to students without any basis can track information to a individual. The risk of being hacked is great and we can not move forward with this technology before we sorted it out.
She is also well aware that the AI itself to many may seem daunting.
– Ai appears that only about robots. I do not think we will have robots that teach children. However, we intelligent assistants in our computers to help teachers develop their teaching and students understand how they learn and gives them power over their learning. We will also see the intelligent virtual reality in the classroom.
Sweden is far ahead when it comes to access to technology in schools, according to Marcia Håkansson Lindqvist, senior lecturer at the Department of Education at Umeå University. She has a doctorate with a thesis on technology supported learning and sees many benefits.
– The students talk about motivation, variety and commitment and that they can create their own learning environment and an order that they are comfortable with.
she agrees Anthony Salcitos description of how new technology has been introduced without ideas about the educational opportunities and calls for more training in this area.
at the same time, she sees that it happens very positive right now. More and more teachers begin to use technology to create experiences as a way to support student learning. They can work in several ways in the classroom and make contacts with people in the outside world.
Teachers have also begun to share their good experiences and disseminate tips, ideas and educational programming for technology supported learning.
– It can facilitate the work of teachers and provide better quality of school.
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